Sheffield Wednesday: Owls star Lee plays down injury worries

Midfield playmaker Kieran Lee has shrugged off concerns over his fitness ahead of Sheffield Wednesday’s final two pre-season friendlies.

Lee was taken off with 18 minutes remaining of Sunday’s 2-2 friendly at Doncaster Rovers due to an ongoing groin injury.

The problem also saw the 26-year-old sit out the Owls’ warm-up match with Russian top flight side FC Arsenal Tula during their five-day warm weather training camp in Slovenia last week.

Wednesday round off their pre-season schedule by welcoming Newcastle United to Hillsborough tomorrow night before a trip to Barnsley on Saturday. Lee is confident he will be fit to take part in the two friendlies, with the Owls set to begin their Championship campaign at Brighton on August 9.

He told The Star: “The injury has gradually come on since the start of pre-season. There is some tightness in there which has not gone away for a few weeks so I’ve got to manage it.

“I’m doing everything I can to get it sorted. Hopefully it will settle down soon.

“I’m not too concerned. I can play through it so I’ve just got to get on with things.”

Stuart Gray’s men looked on course to record a third win in four friendlies after establishing a two-goal lead against Rovers thanks to strikes either side of half-time by Atdhe Nuhiu and Michail Antonio. But it finished honours even after goals by Marc De Val and Kyle Bennett.

Lee said: “It was a difficult game but a good workout for us. I think everyone is picking up fitness wise. The most important thing is to come through the games without too many injuries or niggles.

“Our performance wasn’t up to scratch against Rovers. We were disappointed to go two goals up and let them comeback into it. When you are two nil up, you’ve got to keep the ball and keep it tight. We need to learn from that.”

He is relishing the challenge of facing Premier League outfit Newcastle.

“Everyone is looking forward to it,” he said. “We expect them to have more of the ball but we will go out and try to enjoy ourselves.”